Explore this article to get an overview of the solar panel installation process, its costs, and tips if you pursue adding a solar energy system to your home.
Want to win an argument? Ask one of your friends what the cheapest form of electricity is, and then tell them the right answer gets $10. Your friend will invariably say coal; then you can say solar and become $10 richer.
That’s right, a solar energy system produces the cheapest electricity available on the market. Residential solar energy gives you a bit of independence from the grid, as well as smaller utility bills. However, there are a lot of things to consider before you pay for solar panel installation.
Solar panel installation services will handle the whole thing, but let us throw in a few caveats. Here is an overview and guide on what to expect.
Consider the Costs of Solar Panel Installation
Solar electricity may be cheap, but the upfront costs of installation are not. A residential solar energy system will easily cost several thousand dollars, even for a basic installation. That includes the cost of the solar panels as well as the labor to install them.
You may need to save for a few years to afford it. Otherwise, you will likely require some sort of financing plan. Try to find one that has a very low APR.
Luckily, you can offset much of that price with government subsidies. The US government will refund you a portion of the cost thanks to their green initiatives. That said, this is a tax write-off that you won’t see until the following year during tax season.
Also, there may be additional costs for extra conveniences. For example, purchasing a battery array to store excess electricity. This will be expensive but may be worth it in the long run.
You may also have to make modifications to your home. This may involve removing trees and scaffolding air conditioning towers. Contact Blue Raven Solar for any questions you may have about the process.
Consider the Weather and Placement
Obviously, solar panels are useless when it’s dark. They also experience a considerable dip in electrical generation during overcast or rainy days. It pays to consider whether your local weather makes solar panels worth it.
For example, Seattle is probably the least ideal place in the world to have solar panels. That, or Svalbard during half of the year. Even if you live in a place with a decent amount of sun, the solar generation may not be enough to pay itself off.
Further, the placement of the panels is very important. Solar panels will only get sun for a portion of the day. If you have a typical arched roof, you will have to decide whether to install them on one side or both sides.
Plus, the positioning of your home will play a role. If your home faces north to south, then you will get worse solar performance. But if it faces west to east, and you have panels on both sides, you’ll get consistent solar generation.
Price Negotiation and Shopping Around
There are a lot of solar companies out there, so don’t go with the first one that you see. Shop around. Get quotes from multiple different companies.
Don’t take the cheapest price, either. You want this installation to last for a long time with minimal maintenance.
Solar panels have a reputation for being light on the maintenance side. Cheap installation may ruin this.
Preliminary Roof Inspection
Now that you are decided, it’s time to prepare your home for solar. An inspector will check the integrity of your roof. Their main concern is whether the roof is in good condition and can support solar panels.
Installation Process
Installation of a solar energy system is quite fast. Contractors will be able to knock it out in less than a day in the majority of cases. In some rare situations, they may need an extra half-day.
Ideally, you should be home during this process in case any issues arise. You will be able to continue to use your electricity as normal. It is only when they hook up the system that your power will be off, but only temporarily.
Feel free to ask the contractor any questions that you have. If you want, you can even watch the installation. On average, it might take between four and six hours to complete.
For your safety, stay away from the edges of the roof. Falling objects could hit you and lead to serious injuries. You may also need to move your vehicles to give the installers space.
Getting Your System up and Running
Solar panel technology is revolutionary and yet quite simple at the same time. Your new home energy system will work right out of the box. You won’t be able to see the effects immediately; you’ll have to wait for your energy bill.
However, you can get a sneak peek with your energy meter. If you know how much electricity you use on average, you can see how much less you are using. Depending on how big your solar array is, you may not be taking any electricity from the grid.
Perform Regular System Maintenance
You will need to brush up on system maintenance at least once every six months. Typically, this involves dusting off the panels. However, you should also check once a year to make sure electrical connections are in good condition.
Feel free to call your solar energy company to perform scheduled maintenance. Then you don’t have to risk getting shocked or falling from the roof.
Install Your Own Solar Energy System Today
Solar panel installation gives you access to the greenest, cheapest electricity on the planet. That said, a residential solar energy system is quite expensive upfront. After the installation, your solar panels will pay themselves off easily over the course of their lifetime.
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